Device

ABSTRACT

A device for the securing of a knotted shoelace with at least one groove for placing the knot, wherein the device is to be secured by the knot and the shoelace on a shoe, and can be positioned between the knot and the shoe. It is intended by way of the device that the shoelace should be simple to tie and, at the same time, fixed securely. The device including at least one cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic, wherein the cushion includes the groove or the contact surface for the shoelace and for the knot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for securing a knotted shoelace withat least one groove or one contact mounting for the placement of a knot,wherein the device is to be secured on a shoe by the knot and theshoelace, and can be positioned between the knot and the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A generic device is already known from GB 2 447 314 A, which is securedon a shoe by means of a shoelace. This device comprises a receiver witha brake, with two opposed tooth arrangements. The brake groove delimitsa space in which the two ends of the shoelace can be knotted, whereinthe shoelaces are clamped in the brake.

From WO 2008/007855 A1 a further generic device for securing a knottedshoelace is known, which is secured to a shoe by a shoelace. Thiscomprises a receiver with side holes through which the shoelace ends areguided upwards onto the device. Two jaws provided on the receiver form agroove-shaped brake, in which the knot of the shoelace is clamped bycorresponding tooth arrangements on the jaws.

In the relevant prior art, means are also described for the securing ofa shoelace which are not secured to a shoe in the generic manner whenthe shoelace is knotted, and with which the knot is also not secured.Known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,544,225 A are means for securing a shoelacewith which the loose ends protruding from the knot and the loops of theshoelace are fixed in means which are secured separately to the shoe.For clamping the protruding ends and the loops of the knot, the meansare provided on the inside with an elastic plastic material. Accordingto the prior art documents CH 410 549 A and AU 657 361 B2, the shoelaceis not knotted. The ends of the not knotted are fixed in elasticreceivers by frictional resistance, such that this securing arrangementreplaces a knot. Described in the prior art document U.S. Pat. No.3,276,083 A is a mechanism into which the ends of the shoelace arethreaded, and in which, by the rotation of individual parts of themechanism in relation to one another, the shoelace is secured byfrictional resistance and positive fit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of configuring and arranging adevice in such a way that the shoelace is to be tied in the usual way,and, at the same time, the knot is secured before being loosened,regardless of the thickness and material properties of the shoelace,without subjecting the shoelace to greater mechanical stress than usual.

The object is solved according to the invention in that the devicecomprises at least one cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic,wherein the cushion comprises the groove or contact mounting for theshoelace and for the knot. In this situation, on the one hand the softand elastic property of the plastic are exploited, and, on the other,the slide and adherence friction increased by the properties of theplastic. Such a cushion has soft and elastic properties like rubber,which, due to its strongly adherent friction surface, restricts therelative movement of a shoelace. By contrast with lace brakes, thefactor involved is not how thick the shoelace is. The tighter theshoelace is tied, or the more contact pressure is imposed by theshoelace onto the cushion, the greater the friction and the less therelative movement between the shoelace and cushion. Due to theelasticity of the material and the pressure exerted during tying betweenthe shoelace and cushion, the sliding properties of the shoelace on thecushion are substantially reduced. During tying, the traction has theeffect on the shoelace that the shoelace with the knot penetrates intothe elastic groove, which displaces the elastic material of the cushion,and, in consequence, it is in part almost entirely surrounded by theelastic material. As a result of this, a movement relative to oneanother of the individual sections of the shoelace arranged in thegroove in the cushion, which form the knot, is braked, which preventsthe loosening of the knot.

The cushion forms a friction surface for the shoelace and the knot. Thecushion is made of a soft and elastic plastic, produced bypolycondensation, which exhibits a high resilience, wherein, due to apressure which can be produced during the tying of the knot by theshoelace onto the cushion in a direction Y onto the shoe, the frictionsurface is enlarged due to the penetration of the shoelace into thecushion. The more the shoelace penetrates into the soft and elasticplastic, the more it is surrounded by the cushion. With the contactpressure the penetration depth increases. This leads to the surface areawith which the shoelace and cushion touch one another becomes greater,the deeper the shoelace penetrates into the cushion. In this way thefriction surface area increases, and therefore the friction between theshoelace and the cushion.

It can also be advantageous if the device exhibits a stable formedcontact mounting as a bearing for a single-part or an at least two-partcushion, wherein the contact mounting is arranged in a direction Ybeneath the cushion, and the cushion or the two cushion parts areconnected by positive fit and/or material joining and/or non-positivefit. The respective cushion is stabilized by the contact mounting, sincethe cushion cannot be deformed in the region of the surface. At the sametime, the possibility is limited of the cushion extending in adisproportionate amount to the side, since the cushion is at leastpartially secured to the stable formed contact mounting. In addition tothis, the cushion is protected by the surface, since it is now onlyindirectly in contact with the shoe by way of the surface, andtherefore, for example, during walking it no longer rubs directlyagainst the shoe.

It is particularly advantageous if a two-part cushion with a groovebetween the two cushion parts is arranged on the contact mounting. Inthis situation, the groove is narrower than the shoelace or the knot, asa result of which the shoelace and the knot are clamped between the twocushion parts. In this situation, the knot and the shoelace lie on thecontact mounting, which connects the two cushion parts. The base of thegroove can then be formed by a contact area of the contact mounting orby an additional section of the elastic plastic or the cushion, or canbe coated with elastic plastic. For this two-part configuration, it isparticularly advantageous if the cushion is secured to the contactmounting. For this purpose, hooks, anchors, and eyes or other profilescan be provided on the contact mounting, which are cast into therespective cushion. In this situation the groove exhibits a length whichcorresponds to the entire length of the cushion.

It can likewise be advantageous if the single-piece cushion exhibits alinear indentation, wherein the indentation exhibits a length whichcorresponds to the total length of the cushion. The indentation servesas a positioning aid for a shoelace.

It is also advantageous if the groove and/or the indentation tapers in adirection Y and/or in a direction Z, at right angles to the direction Yor the groove has different widths in a direction X. Due to thetapering, the shoelace is easier to lay into the groove from one side ifthe groove is selected as very narrow in order to create more pressureon the shoelace. Different widths have the advantage that a shoelacecould be clamped differently tight.

With regard to the tying of the knot, it is advantageous if a cut-outopening is provided in the cushion or between the two parts of thecushion, which is wider in a direction X than the groove. The knot ofthe shoelace is placed in the cut-out opening. The opening is larger orsmaller, depending on the thickness of the shoelace.

In view of an universal use for shoelaces with different thicknesses itis advantageous if the groove has a depth in a direction Y between 5 mmand 14 mm or of 9 mm as well as a width in a direction X between 3 mmand 11 mm or of 7 mm as well as a length in a direction Z between 4 mmand 12 mm or of 8 mm. The cut-out opening and/or the groove canpenetrate the entire cushion in direction Y.

It is advantageous in particular if the plastic for the cushion isformed with an elongation at break of up to 400% and/or a Shore hardnessD in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 6 and 90 and/ora Shore hardness A in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between25 and 95, and/or the compression modulus of the plastic is greater than10⁸ Pa and/or the transverse shrinkage in accordance with Standard DINEN ISO 527-1 is less than 0.7. The Shore hardness D in accordance withStandard DIN ISO 7619-1 varies, depending on the composition of theplastic, between 6 and 90, in particular between 8 and 29, andpreferably in increments of three points in each case, beginning withthe value 8 and ending in the last increment with 29. The Shore hardnessA in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 varies, depending on thecomposition of the plastic, between 25 and 95, in particular between 40and 80 and preferably in increments of five points in each case,beginning with the value 40 and ending in the last increment with 80.

Due to the pressure of the shoelace, there may be a substantialelongation in the region of the plastic, inasmuch as the shoelace lieson the plastic. An elongation at break of up to 400% is advantageousinasmuch as this property prevents the plastic from tearing at thelocation referred to. It can also be advantageous, however, if theplastic exhibits an elongation at break of up to 200%. In a furtheradvantageous embodiment, the plastic exhibits an elongation at break ofup to 300%. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the plasticexhibits an elongation at break of up to 500%.

In order for the shoelace to be able to penetrate sufficiently deep intothe plastic, the plastic must not be too hard. The deeper the shoelacepenetrates into the plastic, the larger the friction surface between theshoelace and the plastic. The plastic must also not be too soft,however, since with a softer plastic the clamping effect is reduced. Forthis reason it is advantageous if the plastic is formed with a Shorehardness D of between 5 and 40. It is particularly advantageous if theShore hardness D of the plastic is between 5 and 30. It is mostadvantageous if the Shore hardness D of the plastic is between 10 and40. It can also be advantageous, however, if the Shore hardness D of theplastic is between 10 and 30.

The strongest possible clamping effect is guaranteed if the volume ofthe cushion remains as constant under pressure. In this way thepossibility can be prevented that the plastic counteracts the outsidepressure, inasmuch as its volume becomes greater. The compressionmodulus K of the plastic is defined as

K:=−dp(dV/V),

where dp is the pressure change and dV/V represents the relative volumechange. A compression modulus greater than 10⁸ Pa is therebyadvantageous. However, a compression modulus of greater than 10⁷ Pa canalso be advantageous. More advantageous is a compression modulus of over10⁹ Pa. Most advantageous of all is a compression modulus of over 10¹⁰Pa.

In order to increase the clamping effect and at the same time thesurface area between the shoelace and the cushion, it is advantageousif, as far as possible, the plastic does not give way to the pressureloading in the orthogonal direction. This is ensured if the transverseshrinkage q of the plastic is less than 0.7, wherein the transverseshrinkage q is defined by the equation

dh/h=−q dl/l

with the relative height change of the cushion dh/h and the relativelength change of the cushion dl/l. It can be advantageous if thetransverse shrinkage of the plastic is less than 0.6. It is moreadvantageous if the transverse shrinkage of the plastic is less than0.5. Most advantageous is if the transverse shrinkage of the plastic isless than 0.4.

It can also be advantageous if a cover is provided for the cushion,wherein the cover, together with the contact mounting, is secured to thecushion and/or to the contact mounting at least partially, indirectly ordirectly, by positive fit and/or material joining and/or non-positivefit. In this situation provision can be made for the cover to beprovided with a cavity space which corresponds to the shape of thecushion, and the cushion is positioned at least partially in the cavityspace, wherein the contact mounting at least partially closes the cavityspace. Due to the cover, the cushion can only give way to the pressureof the shoelace within the volume delimited by the cavity. On the onehand, this enhances the clamping effect, and, on the other, it isadditionally ensured that the surface between the shoelace and thecushion is as large as possible. It is of advantage if the covercomprises a slot, wherein the slot exhibits a length which correspondsto the entire length of the cover, and wherein the groove and the slotrun parallel above one another, such that the shoelace can be guidedthrough the slot into the groove.

It can further be advantageous if an adherence friction coefficientbetween the surface of the shoelace and the surface of cushion isgreater than 0.7 and/or the slide friction coefficient is greater than0.3. This is achieved with thermoplastic elastomers. In this situationit can be of advantage if a system consists of a device and a shoelaceand/or a transponder and/or a shoe.

Transponders are used, for example, during races in order to measure thetime of the athlete. It is also conceivable, however, to place sensorsat or in the device. These can, for example, read out data such as pacefrequency, temperature, or air humidity, and, as appropriate, send thisdata to a Smartphone or any other desired receiver, which evaluates andpresents this data, in order in this way to provide the athlete withinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in theclaims and in the description and represented in the figures. Thefigures show:

FIG. 1b is a principle sketch of a device for securing a knottedshoelace, which is secured to a shoe;

FIG. 1b is a sectional view of a two-part cushion with knotted shoelacesin the X-Y section;

FIG. 1c is a sectional view of a one-part cushion with a groove withknotted shoelaces in the X-Z section;

FIG. 1d is an exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a without a shoe,in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a one-part cushion in the X-Y section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Represented in FIG. 1a is a system consisting of a device 1 and a shoe 2with shoelaces 21, with which the device 1 is secured by the knotting ofthe shoelace 21 on the shoe 2. The device 1 comprises a two-part cushion3, such that a groove 32 is formed between the two cushion parts 3. Thematerial of the cushion 3 exhibits similar rubber-like properties ashardened silicone. The cushion 3 is provided such as to be knotted withthe shoelace 21 on a shoe 2, in order to fix the knot 22 and theshoelace 21 and to prevent the loosening of the knot 22.

As is represented in greater detail in FIG. 1b , the two cushion parts 3are arranged next to each other on the contact mounting 4. The device 1lies with the contact mounting 4 on the shoe 2. In this situation, dueto the pressure exerted when tying, the shoelace 21 penetrates with itsknot 22 into the groove 32, and lies on the actual contact surface 41 ofthe contact mounting 4. Due to the elasticity of the cushion 3, acounter-pressure 61, indicated by arrows, is exerted on the knot 22. Asa result, friction occurs between the outer parts of the shoelace 21,which form the knot, and the cushion 3.

In order to secure the cushion 3, the contact mounting 4 can be createdon a structure, not shown, which the cushion 3 is cast onto and into.Such structures of the contact mounting 4 can consist of hooks, anchors,and eyes, by means of which a positive fit with the cushion 3 isguaranteed. Apart from a possible positive fit connection, the cushion 3is secured to the contact mounting 4 by adhesive forces, which areproduced at the laminating of the contact mounting 4 to the cushion 3.

The two-part cushions 3 consist of two parts arranged closely next toone another in a direction X orthogonal to the direction Y. In a specialembodiment, the groove 32 formed between the two cushions 3 can taper inthe direction Y towards the contact mounting 4. The length of the groove32 corresponds essentially to the length of the cushion 3. If theshoelace 21 is introduced in the direction Y entirely between the twocushions 3, the pressure 6, and therefore the slide friction andadherence friction, of the cushions 3 onto the shoelace 21 are maximum.At the same time, the shoelace 21 on the contact mounting 41 liesdirectly on the contact surface 4.

According to FIG. 1c , the device 1 comprises a one-part cushion 3,which is positioned between the shoe 2 and the knotted shoelace 21. Thesingle-piece cushion 3 is structured in a similar manner to the two-partcushion 3. As a difference in respect of the single-part cushion 3, aconnection is provided between the two cushion parts in the base of thegroove 32, such that the cushion 3 exhibits a u-shaped profile (notshown) in the X-Y section. The advantage in relation to the two-partcushion 3 is that, beneath the shoelace 21 and beneath the knot 22,between the contact mounting 4 and the shoelace 21 there is also softand elastic material present, which fixes the knot 22 better. The knot22 of the shoelace 21 is clamped together with the shoelace 21 inbetween the two cushion parts 3.

Represented enlarged in FIG. 1d is the device 1 represented in FIG. 1a .Here, as also in FIG. 1c , it can be seen that, in addition to thegroove 32, a cut-out opening 33 is also provided in the groove 32, intowhich, when the shoelace 21 is tied, the knot 22 is introduced. By wayof the cut-out opening 33, essentially four circumferential sidesurfaces are formed, which are in contact with the knot 22 and the partsof the shoelace 21 surrounding the knot 22. Due to the fact that theone-part cushion 3 is also arranged underneath the knot 22, a fifthsurface, namely the base of the cut-out opening 33, is available for thecreation of the friction.

Represented in FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a device 1 with aone-part cushion 3 in the knotted state. The cushion 3 comprises,instead of a groove 32, a contact surface 31 for the shoelace 21. As aresult, the position of the shoelace 21 on the cushion 3 is variable,because the contact surface 31 does not differ, or not substantially, inits geometry from the geometry of the remaining surface of the cushion 3in the region of the contact surface 31. The region of the cushion 3beneath the shoelace 21, like the contact mounting 4, is represented inthe X-Y section. Due to the pressure 6, incurred during tying, of theshoelace 21 onto the cushion 3 in a direction Y from above, the shoelace21 on the contact surface 31 of the cushion 3 penetrates into thecushion 3, or, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment according toFIGS. 1b to 1d , into the groove 32. The elastic cushion 3 counteractsthe deformation due to the shoelace. In this situation, the frictionsurface increases, as does the pressure 6 between the cushion 3 and theshoelace 21. At the same time, the cushion 3 exerts a counter-pressure61 onto the shoelace 21 and onto the knot 22, and clamps the shoelace 21and the knot 22 securely. The slide friction and adhesion friction whichare thereby incurred grow with the increase in the pressure 6 producedby the shoelace 21.

What is claimed:
 1. A device for securing a knotted shoelace, comprising: at least one groove or a contact surface for inserting a knot, wherein the device is to be secured by the knot and by the shoelace on a shoe and can be positioned between the knot and the shoe, wherein the device comprises at least one cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic, wherein the cushion comprises the groove or the contact surface for the shoelace and for the knot.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a dimensionally and inherently stable contact mounting as a bearing for a one-part or an at least two-part cushion, wherein the contact mounting is arranged in a direction Y under the cushion and the cushion is connected to the contact mounting by positive fit and/or material joining and/or non-positive fit.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein arranged on the contact mounting is a two-part cushion with a groove between the two cushion parts.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the groove tapers in a direction Y and/or in a direction Z at right angles to the direction Y or the groove has different widths in a direction X.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein a cut-out opening is provided in the cushion or between the two parts of the cushion, which in a direction X is wider than the groove.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the groove has a depth in a direction Y between 5 mm and 14 mm or of 9 mm as well as a width in a direction X between 3 mm and 11 mm or of 7 mm as well as a length in a direction Z between 4 mm and 12 mm or of 8 mm.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the plastic for the cushion is formed with an elongation at break of up to 400% and/or a Shore hardness D in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 6 and 90 and/or a Shore hardness A in accordance with Standard DIN ISO 7619-1 of between 25 and 95, and/or the compression modulus of the plastic is greater than 10⁸ Pa and/or the transverse shrinkage in accordance with Standard DIN EN ISO 527-1 is smaller than 0.7.
 8. A system consisting of the device according to claim 1, and a shoelace and/or a transponder and/or a shoe.
 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein an adherence friction coefficient between the surface of the shoelace and the surface of the cushion is greater than 0.7 and/or the sliding friction coefficient is greater than 0.3.
 10. A system consisting of the device according to claim 5, and a shoelace and/or a transponder and/or a shoe.
 11. A device for securing a shoelace of a shoe, secured by a knot, wherein the device comprises: at least one receiver and/or a contact mounting, which can be laid on the shoe in a direction Y between the knot and the shoe, wherein the receiver comprises a contact surface for the shoelace and is configured in the form of a cushion made of a soft and elastic plastic produced by polycondensation, which exhibits a high resilience, wherein, due to a pressure which can be induced during the tying of the knot of the shoelace onto the cushion in the direction Y, the contact surface can be enlarged by the penetration of the shoelace into the cushion. 